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Sunday, August 6, 2017

Italian Wars Swiss Pike from Bern, Appenzell and Solothurn

Yooray! Another unit added to my Italian Wars collection. This time out we have a mob of Swiss pikemen from the cantons of Bern, Appenzell and Solothurn.

The majority of figures from this unit were commissioned from the very talented John over at Jacksarge Brushes & Battles.

Usually I prefer to paint my own figures, but I wanted to get this collection to a playable state sooner rather than later, so I've enlisted some help from a few pals from around the globe to assist me in getting them done. I've already blogged about Brendon's Spanish jinete light cavalry and Chris' Lucerne pike; well, later this year you will see some work from two other paint condottiere whom I'm very happy to have as friends. I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag until they're all done and based-up - so more on that later.

As I enjoy doing the composition, banners and basework, I had John focus on painting the figures and I'd take care of the rest.

I actually received these figures around a year ago, but the Painting Challenge and other projects sidelined me from getting them properly based-up until this summer.

As you can clearly see John does beautiful work. I'm very, very pleased with them.

These figures are Perry Dave Andrews sculpts from Wargames Foundry. While they are a little long-in-the-tooth I find that they are really lovely castings; nicely proportioned and conveying a wonderful sense of movement.

To be honest after my Landsknecht pike I wasn't really keen on doing another formation in a charging pose as they are complete swine to base and take up about twice the space as a regular unit, but I couldn't help myself when I came across these models while browsing the WF catalogue. Oh well, I reason that these levelled-pike units can be used to denote veteran or particularly large-sized units so I'm okay with having a few in the collection.

I painted up a few more models to help round-out the unit. There's a standard bearer buried in there that's mine, the horn player, the mounted hauptmann overseeing the lads and the poor landsknecht out in front, having a little lay-down.

The banners are from Pete's Flags

In this last shot you see the pikeblock being screened by a unit of Bernese halberdiers and led-in by their mascot, 'Daisy'.

I've never been a fan of the "at charge" pose for wargames figures. I've come to tolerate them in my skirmish forces (which are individually-based and can be moved around a bit when coming into contact), but I'd never use them for multi-based figures myself. As you say - they take up way too much space that way!

I do like the way you've made the base for the unit extend out to the end of the pokey end of the pikes.

Thanks Tim! It's funny, as I couldn't imagine using these for skirmishing being as they are so tippy and pokey. To me, they seem best suited in a formation where you know exactly where you're at with them. Horses for courses, eh? :)

That style of basing is so good. I really like the pikes laying flat but the real estate that it take up requires nice big tables. Keep them coming Curt they are a joy to behold regardless of who paints them.

Wonderful looking regiment Curt!! I totally understand about needing help sometimes. As my hair gets grayer I've also realized if I don't get help with some periods they will never see the gaming table which has lead me to get some assistance.

Lovely looking pike block, I like the levelled pike blocks, I know it takes up a lot of space but it looks so much more menacing looking down the business end of those sharp points! Looking forward to a shot of your renaissance collection soon, it'll be great! Best Iain

I love the dramatic look of this unit - and am very attracted to the idea of the basing you've used (with the plastic tray). Its giving me lots of food for thought when I come to basing my Swiss. (PS - these figures from Foundry are actually Dave Andrews sculpts). Great army there - all the best, Simon.